Aims
After studying this course students should:
- have a basic knowledge of the medical imaging techniques specified in the syllabus below and know where they are applied in clinical practice
- know how ionising radiation interacts with matter, how it affects living organisms and how it is used as a therapeutic technique;
- know the units and terms used in radiological protection and the sources of and approximate level of exposure of the UK population;
- know how non-ionising radiation can be used to image the body;
- be able to solve simple mathematical problems based on any part of the syllabus.
The course content is organised into 3 main sections, within which theoretical background will introduced, and the applications discussed. These main sections will be supplemented by introductory and summary/revision materials.
Section 0 - Introduction and Course Overview
Section 1 - Effects and Applications of Ionising Radiation
- Generation of radiation
- Interaction of charged particles with matter
- Interaction of high energy photons with matter
- Radiation depth of interaction, range, attenuation curves
- Dose, Radiation safety, shielding,
- Application - health physics and radiation protection
- Dose from common risk factors
- Biological effects and cell damage models
- Application - Radiotherapy methods
- Application - Radiotherapy planning
Section 2 - Imaging with Ionising Radiation
- Imaging concepts (pixels, voxels) and quality metrics (resolution, contrast)
- Image processing (spatial frequency information, filtering, edge detection)
- Concepts for detection of radiation (semiconductor detectors, scintillators)
- Gamma cameras and PET detectors
- Tomographic reconstructions (basic concept, maths, and reconstruction techniques)
- Application - Radiology - Planar imaging and CT
- Application - Nuclear medicine - Planar imaging, SPECT and PET
Section 3 - Imaging with Non-ionising Radiation
- Theory of ultrasound, sound wave propagation, reflection
- Ultrasound transducers
- Doppler ultrasound
- Application - Ultrasound applications and practical issues
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Application - MRI image formation
Section 4 - Conclusions and revision lecture(s)
Assessment methods
Formal assessment is 100% by exam. Both problem sheets and quizzes are optional, and provided to allow students to assess their progress through the course modules.
Visits to SGH are in the evening (to allow full access to busy clinical areas); appropriate dates will be discussed with the class.
| Method | Hours | Percentage contribution |
|---|
| Problem Sheets | - | 0% |
| On-line quizzes | - | 0% |
| Exam | 2 hours | 100% |
Referral Method: By examination